Technology has come a long way in recent years. Many homes are now equipped with artificial intelligence tools, especially after this past Holiday season when technology like Amazon Alexa was a popular gift to give and receive.

What keeps the automotive market on top of the advancing world of technology is the ability to incorporate smart tools into vehicle cabins. Such a feat was made possible with, for example, the debut of Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ which made it possible for equipped vehicles to sync with smartphone apps.

Now, Toyota is taking its next big strides in technology development by making Amazon Alexa available in select Toyota cars this year. The voice assistant will be included in any vehicle with the Toyota Entune 3.0 App Suite, and in any Lexus equipped with the Lexus Enform App Suite 2.0.

With Amazon Alexa in the car, drivers will be able to do things like turn on music and make calls, but will also have the option to use other Alexa skills like opening and closing the garage door, turning on lights in their home, or getting directions.

Toyota plans to add Amazon Alexa to additional models in 2019. To find out more, or to learn which Toyota vehicles will have Amazon Alexa this year, stop by Bill Walsh Toyota.

Those who like to keep an eye out for all things new and exciting in the automotive world are no doubt looking forward to the upcoming North American International Auto Show. This annual event takes place on Jan. 13-28, in Detroit. Lots of interesting debuts are sure to grab attention from auto fans worldwide, but the crew at Bill Walsh Toyota is excited about one thing in particular: the introduction of the 5th-generation Avalon sedan.

Toyota will debut the new generation of its full-size sedan on Jan. 15. So far, the company hasn’t released much in the way of information — just a small teaser photo that shows the new Avalon’s headlight. The photo suggests that the new generation will make this staple sedan a little sportier. If previous generations are any indication, the new 5th-generation Avalon should have top-notch efficiency and at least one available peppy V6 engine.

If you’re dying to know about the next generation of the Toyota Avalon but can’t make it to Detroit this January, fear not. Toyota plans to live stream the big reveal on its website. All you need to do is visit the Toyota website on Jan. 15 and you’ll be among the first to witness the new 2019 Toyota Avalon sedan.

The holiday season is in full swing and there is no shortage of fun in the Chicago area. Here are just a few holiday activities near Ottawa to consider.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Beer Tasting. Everyone’s favorite type of party is an ugly Christmas sweater party. Pair that with some delicious beer and you have the perfect combination. Mariano’s in Lombard will host this fun-filled evening on December 14 starting at 5 p.m.

Fiat Paint on Pine. Create your own rustic Christmas decorations at this painting party. It will be held at St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield on December 15. Sign up today to reserve your spot.

Lunch with the Grinch. We have all had breakfast with Santa, so why not lunch with the Grinch? Tickets include a pizza lunch, a dance party, jumpy castle, and a visit and photo with the Grinch. This will take place December 16 at the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association in New Lenox.

Bowling with Santa. The Bowlero in Naperville is hosting this unique holiday event. Stop by with your family on December 23 to visit with St. Nicholas and enjoy a free game of bowling.

Which of these holiday events would you like to attend this year? Everyone here at Bill Walsh Toyota hopes you and your family enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season.

Thanksgiving is one of America’s favorite holidays to celebrate. But do you really know the history of the first Thanksgiving?

Many people know that the first Thanksgiving involved Pilgrims and Native Americans. As it turns out, there is an elaborate story that involves the unity of the two groups.

In September 1620, the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, and landed in Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims onboard established a village that they called Plymouth.

Unfortunately, the New England winter was rough on the Pilgrims, especially for those who stayed on the ship. Only about half of the Pilgrims survived through March, by which time the survivors had moved ashore.

During the month of March, an Abenaki Indian paid the settlers a visit, greeting them in English. He returned just a few days later with Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had escaped slavery and found his way back to his tribe.

Despite Squanto’s horrible experience with Englishmen, he helped the Pilgrims by teaching them how to cultivate corn, extract sap, and catch fish. Not only did Squanto teach them how to sustain life in their new land, he also helped them make an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe.

By the time November of 1621 came, the Pilgrims had their first corn harvest (thanks to Squanto). The Pilgrims celebrated the harvest alongside their Native American allies. This is what is known as the “First Thanksgiving.”

The Toyota Supra has always been around, but it’s about to gain even more popularity. This car, which has gone through major and minor innovations over the years, is becoming the all-new Toyota Supra Turbo.

U.S. News & World Report Writer Brian McHugh breaks down the ins and outs of the new Supra, which was first announced in 2016, a recreation of the true Japanese sports car. The Supra comes from the Toyota Celica, the original Toyota sports car from 1970.

Toyota and BMW have been working together on the Supra Turbo for a while, so you know it’ll thrill you when you see it. It will boast innovative and sleek styling with sharp body lines and an aggressive grille that will make it stand out on the road.

The Toyota Supra Turbo will have a sleek interior that screams “sports car.” Carbon-fiber materials with black leather and red accents will make you feel like a true race car driver behind the wheel.

Something else that makes the future Supra Turbo a true racecar is its power. Toyota has been hinting that Supra owners will have the choice between a four-cylinder and twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that is set to deliver 400 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

The Toyota Supra Turbo hasn’t hit the pavement yet, but when it does, be ready for a major thrill. We at Bill Walsh Toyota can’t wait to witness this sports car in action.

Looking for fall events in Ottawa, Illinois? There’s tons to do in the area, from family fun nights to educational programs. Simply hop in your new Toyota Avalon or Camry, and you can start exploring the area today. There’s truly something for everyone in Ottawa this fall.

According to Pick Us Ottawa, one of the most popular events in the fall is the Old Town Farmers Market. Farmers markets are a great way to get fresh produce and crafts while also supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs. Plus, you can often find great deals. The Ottawa Old Town Farmers Market is held in Washington Square Park from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the next one is on Sept. 16.

The “parkrun” is also coming up, the world’s largest organized running activity. There’s a free timed 5K, and it’s held at Heritage Harbor at 9 a.m. on Sept. 16. In fact, this event is held every Saturday, and it has run, walk, and jog options for participants. You can register online for the event at www.parkrun.us.

Two fun events for families include family board games and the Loop Group, both of which are at the Reddick Public Library. The family board games event will be held on Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the Loop Group—a knit and crochet group—will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Finally, learn Mandarin Chinese at the Reddick Public Library on Sept. 16. This free group is open to teens and adults who would like to learn Mandarin, one of the most popular dialects of Chinese.

These are just some of the many fun things to do in Ottawa that we at Bill Walsh Toyota suggest. Many of these events happen on a weekly basis, so if you can’t go this week, you can still make it the next time.

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 continues to be a top-selling crossover among drivers of all ages. Its sporty yet unique styling and impressive array of features make it a hard model to top. We here at Bill Walsh Toyota are happy to talk about the crossover all day, but here are a few reviews from some of the industry’s utmost experts!

U.S. News & World Report noted the expansion of the Toyota Safety Sense suite’s availability in the 2017 RAV4. Reviewers were also impressed by the easy-to-understand infotainment system. An urban crossover designed for adventure, the Toyota RAV4 features plenty of space within the cabin. A long list of standard features doesn’t hurt either.

The Car Connection also noted the expansive array of standard and available safety features in the 2017 Toyota RAV4. The wide range of models, each available with different wheels, means that there’s a model for everyone. The available RAV4 Hybrid is certainly a talking point as well.

Edmunds.com called attention to the quiet, comfortable ride, a necessity for those making daily commutes. A spacious cabin leaves plenty of room for cargo of all shapes and sizes. There’s also an abundance of high-tech safety features as well. The 2017 Toyota RAV4’s fuel economy is certainly something to be proud of, too.

The last days of summer are quickly approaching — how does your summer bucket list look? Did you check off most of those weekend getaways, trips to the farmer’s market, golden tans, and so on? Was an evening spent at an old-fashioned drive-in on your list? If it wasn’t, you might want to consider adding it. Or, if it was, and you still haven’t checked it off, we have a list to help you out!

Here are the best drive-ins in Illinois (be sure to make it to one before the summer’s over!):

Located in West Chicago, this old-time drive-in offers double features for just $10 per adult ($5 per child 5-11, free for kids under 5). Cascade Drive-In even has a ‘50s-era cafeteria, but feel free to bring in your own meals and snacks.

Here’s a bit of nostalgia for you: at McHenry Outdoor Theater, you need to call for showtimes! No more simply relying on Google! This drive-in has been a staple of the McHenry, Illinois, community for decades, and one trip there for a flick will tell you why. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids 11 and under.

There is no other way to describe the Harvest Moon Twin Drive In Movie Theatre, except as an absolute classic delight. Located in Gibson, Illinois, you won’t want to miss a trip to Harvest Moon, or their well-stocked snack bar that offers a variety of goodies from pizza to pickles.

If you happen to be in the market for the perfect car to take to one of these drive-ins in Illinois, stop by Bill Walsh Toyota today and check out our huge selection of cars, trucks, and SUVs!

Toyota recently earned the IPO award for the third year in a row. IPO stands for the Intellectual Property Owners Association, an independent research association that publishes a yearly “Top 300 Organizations Granted US Patents.” Toyota has more patents—totaling 1,540 for 2016—than any other automaker, making it a leader in its industry.

According to Toyota, several of these patents were filed with the creation of innovations like Toyota Safety Sense™, a suite of driver assist technologies that alerts you to dangers on the road. Entune 3.0 also utilized several new technologies, while Toyota also optimized hybrid and alternative-fuel options for several vehicles.

Toyota’s ranking as the Top Automotive Innovator for the third year in a row reflects the company’s dedication to providing customers with the best products possible. Not only are you certain to get a durable, high-quality vehicle when you shop Toyota, but you’re also bound to get one of the smartest cars on the market. Learn more about recent Toyota innovations by test driving a 2017 model at Bill Walsh Toyota today.

Toyota recently announced some final details about the new 2018 Yaris hatchback, including sporty features, added convenience, and upgraded technologies. The Yaris is the perfect car for city and highway, offering impressive fuel economy, a comfortable drive, as well as great handling and safety. Read on to learn about some of the latest features on this new hatchback.

According to Toyota, the new Yaris comes with a Toyota Safety Sense-C™ system, including three driver assist technologies: Pre-Collision, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beams. This trio of safety systems is designed to keep you better protected in dangerous situations, alerting you to danger and watching your blind spots.

“The fuel-efficient Yaris represents a great value for buyers on a budget as it is the Toyota brand’s least expensive model, yet it is equipped with many standard safety and convenience features. Among the many standard carryover safety features is Toyota Safety Sense- C™ (TSS-C), a trio of driver assist technologies that help drivers get from point “A” to point “B” with safety assurance,” reads the Toyota press release.

The new Yaris will come in three-door and five-door styles, as well as L, LE, and SE trims. You’ll find a contoured exterior, horizontal taillamps, a new front facia, and more. Intelligent features include LCD displays, an ECO-Driving indicator, and the Entune™ Audio system. The Entune™ system has a touchscreen display, smartphone connectivity, and more. Stop by Bill Walsh Toyota to test drive the latest Yaris today.Bill Walsh Toyota to test drive the latest Yaris today.